Bars are great and all, but sometimes you just can't beat a pint in a cosy watering hole. And, lucky for you, this city's got a keg-worth of them. Whether you're on the hunt for heartwarming grub, a boozer to catch some live gigs, or you just fancy relaxing in a plush armchair, these Leeds pubs are sure to please.
Last edited by Kiera Chapman
Last updated on 16th May 2025
If you're looking for a pub to wet your whistle at, there's no better place than Old Ball. Nestled in Horsforth, this contemporary boozer boasts hanging foliage and bare-brick walls. Even better? It's home to scrumptious grub, tasty tipples and epic sports screenings.
The Library is a much-loved destination known for craft pints and hearty grub. Found just on the edge of the university campus, it's a big hit with students and locals alike, alongside anyone looking for affordable drinks.
If you want your pub to be dog-friendly, boast a picturesque beer garden and serve over 90 gins, then Granvilles Beer & Gin House is just the place. Head to the Horsforth boozer, where a lineup of local pints and bingo events await too.
Original Oak Inn is the Headingley pub catering to all crowds, thanks to Sky Sports, a load of HD screens and a sprawling beer garden to boot. To top it off? Wash down the likes of pizza, tapas, burgers and more with cocktails or your favourite pint.
After pubs in Leeds city centre serving food? Bower's Tap has everything from 'made to share' sections to trios of small plates, burgers, pizza and British classics. You can guarantee there's something to satisfy those cravings here.
Situated close to Hyde Park, Royal park Hotel is a charming pub that fronts traditional interiors like wooden tables and leather booths. They also boast multiple HD screens across the venue, showing all the biggest Sky Sports fixtures. Plus, they host weekly live music events here too.
Enjoy a couple of pints from the bar, alongside a delicious food menu. We're talking pie and mash, spicy curries, grilled burgers and much more.
Out of all the choices, Crowd Of Favours is one of the best pubs in Leeds for food. Check out the laid-back space here for Schnitfaced burgers, sarnies and roasts, alongside craft beer and plenty of classic cocktails.
Rinsed in old fashioned charm, this snug pub is filled with vintage leather sofas, antique chairs and ornate decorative touches. Sit back and put your feet up by the fire or grab a spot in a more intimate nook and enjoy a tasty brew.
Fancy something a little different in the city? Boasting a number of delicious gin cocktails and craft beer, Pinnacle Leeds is quite the boozer. You can play shuffleboard or pool, or partake in an epic sports viewing of the latest game.
Midland Hotel in Woodlesford is a top choice of boozer when you're in this part of town, thanks to its modern decor, on-site coffee shop and contemporary takes on classic pub food. This joint serves everything from pie of the day to small plates and wings, with live sports on the screens too.
Headrow House is definitely one of the best pubs in Leeds centre, taking up residency in a former 1900's textile mill and offering not one, but two roof terraces for alfresco sips. That's not all though, as the resident kitchen comes occupied by the Michelin Guide recommended Ox Club.
A hidden gem, Water Lane Boathouse is the canalside pub that comes top for freshly-baked pizza, craft beer and gorgeous views. Head here in the winter to cosy up with a hearty feast, or enjoy the sprawling outdoor terrace when the sun decides to shine.
If you're looking for old pubs in Leed city centre, then be sure to check out Palace Leeds on Kirkgate. Come rain or shine, this fabulous venue has a gorgeous beer garden alongside a cosy indoor space. As for food? Expect mouthwatering hearty fare and ice-cold brews.
Featuring bare brick walls, old school posters and attention-grabbing chandeliers, Kirkstall Brewery Taproom oozes cool. Add in their cask quaffs and freshly-baked pizzas and you've got yourself a great location for a laid-back evening with mates.
They serve their pints fresh from the tank, with a rotating selection of sips to choose from. Plus, they often host live music and other fun events.
Situated in the hub of all the action, Nation of Shopkeepers is a master at delivering wicked live music nights, refreshing pints and quirky bites. Next time you're wondering where to drink, pay a visit to this watering hole and you won't regret it.
Permanently anchored on Woodhouse lane, The Dry Dock is a pub that's a little different - it's inside a boat. Grab some affordable bites like dough balls, cauliflower wings and loaded fries, while making the most of their excellent drinks deals. There's plenty of entertainment on the cards here too, including live sport.
Sunday roasts, craft beers and stained glass windows are all on the menu at the oldest pub in Leeds. Head to Whitelock's Ale House and Turks Head where antique interiors pay tribute to its 300-year-old history whilst its courtyard lets you soak up the relaxed atmosphere and sun all at once.
Nestled in Meanwood, Beck & Call is a neighbourhood local with home-cooked pub food and cask ales at the forefront of the menu. Settle into a cosy nook of the dining room or head outside when the sun's out, and you'll find a colourful beer garden providing a sense of sanctuary.
For those hunting for a pub in Leeds with history and heart, The Tetley is a must-visit. Set inside the former headquarters of Joshua Tetley & Son - once the world's largest cask beer brewery - this landmark venue fuses classic pub charm with modern hospitality. Now operated by Kirkstall Brewery, it offers a rich selection of craft beers, hearty homemade food, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Inside, you'll find spacious seating perfect for catching up with friends, while outside, the generous terrace invites relaxed pints in the sun. From a quick after-work drink to a full Sunday roast, The Tetley has become a beloved part of Leeds' pub scene once again.
A fan of the more traditional pubs in Leeds? Make your way to Bishopgate Street where The Scarbrough Hotel is offering up a menu of classic British dishes and beers on tap. It's also got outdoor seating for those summertime sips.
Hyde Park Hotel is a great shout in the area. Along with vegan options and bottomless brunches, the boozer flaunts scrumptious grub, from tasty tacos to burgers and pizza cones. Plus, the venue hosts quizzes every Tuesday as well as regular sports fixtures if you fancy watching some footie.
A staple of the Leeds pub scene, Kirkstall Bridge Inn pairs the best of British pub culture with a prime riverside location. Brought to you by Kirkstall Brewery, this laid-back local favourite boasts a sun-soaked beer garden, a rotating tap of craft brews, and a menu packed with punchy small plates and crowd-pleasing classics. Swing by for a chilled pint, a midweek quiz, or a legendary Sunday roast.
This welcoming pub in the city centre offers a huge selection of gin and craft beer, alongside a tasty menu of small plates, burgers, curries and more. As for entertainment, they've got live sports coverage, poll tables and dartboards, and you won't want to miss their lunch deals starting from £6.29.
A true Leeds institution, The Cardigan Arms combines heritage charm with a modern community spirit. From open mic Mondays to craft fairs and quiz nights, this pub is always buzzing. Grab a pint from Kirkstall Brewery's stellar selection, settle into the cosy surroundings, and enjoy a bite from their menu of pub favourites, kebab specials, and cracking Sunday roasts. Whether it's your first visit or your fiftieth, The Cardi always feels like home.
Looking for a boozer that does it all? Head on over to Headingley Taps Bennett Road for a good ol' time. This much-loved haunt not only offers themed events from disco nights to pub quizzes, but also serves some hearty pub fare with bespoke concoctions.
With 18 lines of beer, 4 full-size American pool tables and a rooftop beer garden, Parkside Tavern is one helluva boozer to book into. Better yet, you can expect pizzas and live sports to accompany your drinks here too.
The Three Swords is an excellent pub in Leeds that stands out from the rest, mainly thanks to its delicious menu featuring Indian small plates. Kirkstall Brewery and eatery Dastaan have teamed up to produce proper pints along with Punjabi samosas and Masala chips to name a few of the menu's fantastic dishes.
For Irish pubs in Leeds, O'Neill's comes out firmly on top. Think affordable, refreshing pints of Guinness, bottomless brunches and Saturday night entertainment, plus the opportunity to refuel with plenty of grub throughout.
If you're searching for places to drink, Head of Steam is for you. Order yourself one of their craft, cask or world beers, bask in the off-kilter interiors and tap your toes to the music, all whilst filling your belly on comfort food.
Wrap your taste buds around the classic nosh at this choice of gastro pubs in Leeds. From steak and burgers to baked camembert and scotch eggs, the menu at Town Hall Tavern has something to keep everyone happy, whilst its drinks include beers, ales, fine wines and cheeky cocktails.
Having originally opened in 1802, The Cross Keys is a stalwart on the city's pub scene. Whether you're here for an after-work drink in their beer garden or one of their award-winning Sunday roasts by the fire, this Water Lane boozer has got you covered.
As well as stocking over 200 beers at this pick of CAMRA pubs in Leeds, Tapped also creates a range of mouthwatering slices from authentic Italian dough. Choose between popular toppings, such as pepperoni and jalapenos, or opt for one of the more unusual pizzas, along the lines of seitan doner and chicken tikka.
The Lamb and Flag focuses on two things: great beers and delicious food. They pour up a whole roster of locally brewed beers, draught lagers, wines and spirits to accompany their gastropub food and also have a killer outside area.
Not only do The Brewery Tap make their own craft beers onsite, meaning you're in for some of the freshest pints around, but they also cook up a host of pub grub classics. Nestle into a comfortable corner and tuck into fish and chips, sausage and mash, burgers and steak pie. It wouldn't be a Leeds pub crawl without this one.
Pubs in Leeds city centre don't get much better than Pack Horse, a historic boozer just tucked away from Briggate Street. Not only is it one of the area's oldest boozers but it also whips up award-winning pies, using some of the country's freshest ingredients.
